Hoquiam Ambulance Utility Service Fee raising starting April 1

Hoquiam residents will see an increase April 1 on their monthly Ambulance Fee.

After weeks of discussion, the Hoquiam City Council on Monday approved an increase on their monthly ambulance utility service fee, adding $3.31 per month to the base rates, bringing the monthly fee to $19.23.

The increase is intended to cover a deficit in the Ambulance Fund, currently sitting at $232,000 below budget.

In November, a proposal to raise that monthly fee to $20.22 per resident was introduced, before being amended to the lower increase.

Councilmember Dave Wilson spoke out against the increase, saying that while the funds are needed, there needs to be a solution other than passing it directly to residents.